Stanford Basketball: What's Next for Cardinal Following Jabari Parker Decision

Although the Stanford Cardinal had to be considered a long shot to land one of the nation's elite players in small forward Jabari Parker, it's still a disappointment for a program that could have gotten a significant boost with the arrival of the game-changing, 5-star prospect.

As far as what's next for the Cardinal in picking up the pieces following the Parker snub, it will be a matter of gathering as much offensive help as possible on the perimeter.

Parker would have been a major asset in that regard with versatility and playmaking ability, but it's something Stanford can't dwell on.

The relatively disastrous shooting the Cardinal have endured through their first 11 games of 2012-13 is alarming, and it must be helped by the impending recruiting class. Chasson Randle and Aaron Bright are shooting below 36 and 33 percent, respectively, and Stanford is just above 40 percent from the floor as a team.

Help is on the way in the form of twin brothers Marcus (point guard) and Malcolm Allen (shooting guard), who will likely form the backcourt tandem of the future at Stanford. They hail from Centennial High School in Las Vegas, and will be great fits with the Cardinal. Both are 3-star recruits, according to 247 Sports.

While the twins may not be quite on the level of Parker, there are other reasons they will be great fits with the Cardinal. Tim Brewer of the Las Vegas Sun documents a few reasons why that is so:

“It is just phenomenal opportunity to continue playing alongside my brother,” Malcolm Allen said. “We have been playing together since we were 5 years old. It gives us an advantage because we know what each other is going to do. We know each others’ tendencies.”

[The Allens] are also a perfect fit in the classroom for the highly regarded university.

They have a weighted 4.8 grade point average and are ranked No. 1 in their graduating class, earning an A in every course they’ve taken — most being college prep or honors courses.

With a lifetime playing alongside each other, chemistry shouldn't be a problem. Both are extremely smart kids as well, and both have exceptional defensive abilities and obviously strong work ethics.

Head coach Johnny Dawkins will certainly have some intriguing prospects at his disposal in 2014. Until then, there is plenty for Cardinal fans to look forward to in terms of the next recruiting class—even though it undoubtedly would have been nice to welcome Parker to the fold.